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Information design--incorporating research in graphic design, typography, visualization, and usability--is a user experience practice directly applicable to contemporary museums, libraries, and archives. Information design principles and guidelines improve engagement at every point of service, effectively and efficiently complementing the mission of knowledge organizations. This historical survey explores information design in the context of contemporary user experience design, and provides an overview of information design principles and guidelines developed over 40 years of research and professional application. Applying elements of information design to archival finding aids enhances usability, while also preserving descriptive and contextual structures.

This article reports on the third phase of a project studying the integration of information behavior theories and concepts into professional education for reference and information service (RIS). It also provides a synthesis of the results of all studies in the project, including a syllabus study, an interview study, and the survey. Results of the project show that Kuhlthau's information search process model, along with several other key theories, models, and concepts, is perceived by instructors of introductory RIS courses in North America as important for RIS practice. Instructors feel that students are generally receptive to conceptual content in the course, although most teach a more practice-focused course or a course with a balance of conceptual and practical content. Still, 10-31% of introductory RIS courses do not include any information behavior content, suggesting that the relevance of theory to practice remains an ongoing debate.

Albeit its critical role in the development of the agriculture sector, the delivery of Extension and Advisory Services (EASs) in Tanzania has remained unsatisfactory and has had a limited impact on the sector. Among others, conventional approaches used in providing EASs have been found inadequate in meeting the priority needs of their clientele. Besides, they tend to demand many frontline extension agents who are few and are unable to serve farmers effectively. Thus, most recently, Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the potential to overcome many of the challenges associated with the conventional provision of EASs. As a result, various innovative ICT-based approaches have been blended with conventional EASs to improve the service to clients. These include the use of community radio stations, TV programs, telecentres, Mobile Phones (SMS), and web-based and mobile-based farmers' advisory information systems. This study draws on the work of the ICT-based Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) established in the Rungwe District in Mbeya Region. We explore the experiences of various stakeholders in using the VKC in the delivery of extension services. Challenges hindering the functioning of VKC are highlighted and recommendations to improve the functioning of VKC and consequently, the delivery of EASs are drawn.

Purpose: Innovations in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are essential for increasing resource efficiency and sustainability in the agri-food system. An innovation support service (ISS) can benefit SMEs but the provision and access to it can be restricted across national borders thereby hindering cross-border regions' economic potential. The aim was to investigate how ISSs are provided and used in such a region and explore stakeholders' perceptions on their limitations and opportunities. Methodology: We conducted a case study in the Dutch-German cross-border region Euregio Rhine-Waal which included a content analysis of websites and stakeholder interviews. Findings: The provision of ISSs was limited by differing structures and priorities in both countries. SMEs' unfamiliarity with responsible authorities, significant administrative effort, and uncertainty about pay-offs were perceived as factors limiting ISS. Practical implications: We provide recommendations on how to improve ISS in cross-border regions and inform policymaking for cross-border regional development. We recommend reducing limitations of ISS provision and use, e.g. by engaging ISS providers and users in a co-creative approach. Furthermore, we suggest using opportunities of ISS provision and use, e.g. through increased promotion of available ISS by brokers. Theoretical implications: Our research contributes to the literature of extension and advisory systems by showing how differing institutional settings, combined with different 'innovation cultures' and the availability of cross-border brokers affect cross-border integration of ISS. Originality: This is the first study to explore the limitations and potentials of ISSs in a cross-border region.

A professional practice is a type of internship, a practicum, that encompasses a supervised hands-on training experience for students to develop and identify the core and enabling competencies required in a professional environment. It also allows them to identify the developed and underdeveloped skills that are important in the labour environment while still undergoing an academic training. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to determine the core and enabling competencies required and developed by the students coursing the Library and Information Science Programme at Universidad Tecnologica Metropolitana during their professional practices carried out from 2019 through 2021. To this end, a questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions was used as data collection instrument. It was applied to a sample of 64 graduates from this Programme, out of a universe of 70 students in addition to a focus group to delve deeper into the answers obtained. The results established that both core and enabling competencies had been relevant in their professional practice. The most relevant core competencies were those related to information and knowledge services; information analysis and data retrieval; and organisation of data, information and knowledge assets meanwhile the most relevant enabling competencies were communication, teamwork and adaptability.

The study aimed to examine the level of satisfaction of students with disabilities with library and information services in Saudi universities. The descriptive survey approach was used. The study sample consisted of 35 students with disabilities enrolled in Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was used to collect the data of the study. The results showed a number of information services and special environmental facilities available within the university central library, the frequencies, and percentages of their use by students with disabilities. They were ordered according to the students? responses: book borrowing service, book return service, audiobooks, large print, and Braille book services. Also, it was revealed that the degree of satisfaction of students with disabilities with the library services provided to them was high. In addition, the physical environmental facilities of the library from the point of view of students with disabilities were the availability of a personal and designated place to study such as computer spaces and chairs suitable for students? needs. The signs (directions) related to disability in the library and their compatibility with the needs of students with disabilities and the availability of tools and technologies to meet their needs in the library without the help of others were rated poor.

Brokers are individuals who facilitate transfer of knowledge and resources, and coordinate efforts across boundaries of organizations. They are defined by their role rather than their organizational position. Brokers might be imperative for the formation and maintenance of inter-institutional relationship as they have the responsibility and the necessary structural position to connect otherwise separate groups. In the context of this study, brokers had the role to cultivate an inter-institutional community around open educational resources (OER) by connecting groups of teachers across higher education institutes. OER provide higher education institutes with an aid to face the challenges of improving teaching and learning. Yet most OER users encounter challenges that relate to finding resources that are relevant, up-to-date, and of good quality. Communities could minimize this issue, but many OER initiatives fizzle out as expanding their impact is an arduous task. This qualitative descriptive study draws upon cultural-historical activity theory to understand the complexities associated with the role of brokers in creating sustainable collaboration on OER across 15 higher education institutes in the Netherlands. Data was collected from project documents, process reports, reflections reports, and a retrospective focus group. The findings show that brokers engaged in a wide variety of actions but that a small-scale, personal, and content-oriented approach to encourage teachers to engage with the OER repository and the online community was perceived as the most valuable. Brokers also experienced conflicts due to the demanding context they were operating in, the ambiguity of their role, and the organizational constraints they were confronted with. Practical implications refer to supporting higher education institutes that wish to initiate sustainable collaboration across institutes.

With the rising cases of theft, vandalism, mutilation, infiltration, and other fraudulent practices at academic libraries, the matter of library security has become a matter of greater concern for modern-day library professionals as well as scholars in the field of library and information science. Considering the seriousness of the issue, the present study has adopted bibliometric techniques to gain significant insights into the performance, direction, and state of research in the field of library security in academic libraries. A total number of 440 articles published in the last two decades were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed using bibliometric techniques. The results indicate that library security is gaining the attention of contemporaneous scholars in the research field of library and information science and led to the identification of digital services, computer simulation, and web interface as some of the key concepts in the area of contemporary library security research.

An academic library plays a significant role in providing information services to fraternities. However, persons with disabilities need special attention and specialized services. This study aims to identify the special needs of, and the services required by, persons with disabilities or differently-abled persons. The samples were collected from graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students with disabilities in 10 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in India. The survey research design and the snowball sampling technique were used to collect samples from scattered populations across the ten IITs. A total of 217 samples were collected from the respondents. The results show that graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students with disabilities were satisfied with the library resources and services available to persons with disabilities. The students had a positive opinion about the accessibility of their libraries and the impact of information and communications technology (ICT) on their studies and research work. However, they expressed the need for more training and orientation on using new tools and services for persons with disabilities. The study identified essential library tools and services for persons with disabilities. Academic and other libraries elsewhere in the country should take a cue from the IITs and take steps to make themselves accessible and offer specialized services for persons with disabilities. The findings of this research study will be helpful for policymakers and librarians who want to establish special services for persons with disabilities.

Information behavior is an important area of conceptual knowledge for reference service providers, as it provides structure for understanding users' information seeking and use. This study explores the extent to which information behavior theories, models, and concepts have been integrated into professional education for reference and information service (RIS) through a syllabus study and textbook review. In addition, the study identifies specific information behavior theories, models, and concepts used in introductory RIS courses. Syllabi for introductory RIS courses taught at North American library and information science programs were analyzed for information behavior content, as were the textbooks required by the syllabi. Results show that about two-thirds of introductory RIS courses include instruction in information behavior theories, models, and concepts. Overall, the most impactful information behavior theories and models from the literature are introduced.

Small farms and small farmers are a growing sector of the agricultural economy nationwide. Notably, small farms are influenced by similar antagonists to the success of their business as large, concentrated operations, but they experience it differently. The purpose of this study was to describe small farms and farmers in North Dakota to assist North Dakota State University Extension in defining their needs for programming development. We found that nearly 45% of small farmer respondents are women. Small farmers prefer to access information for their operations in a variety of ways but like to engage with Extension through more direct and personal means. Recommendations include developing programming targeted at female farmers and organizing Extension information resources targeted at small farm needs, specifically.

Indirect routes to strengthening research-practice connections, through intermediaries or knowledge brokers, have received little emphasis in discussions of education research and practice. Joel Malin compares direct and indirect approaches to making these connections and considers how indirect actors are situated in the education system and what roles and functions they perform. He describes some of the well-known intermediaries, assesses the effects of their efforts, and offers ideas for moving forward.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to present evidence regarding how young people, who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) in South Africa, lack literacy skills and access to enabling resources to actively search and navigate information services systems that are primarily web-based. Information Poverty Theory is adopted to better understand the technological and social strata challenges experienced by young NEET people. Design/methodology/approach: The study used semi-structured interviews for collecting data over two months in 2018, employing snowball sampling with 24 key participants, representing a diversity of educational backgrounds and previous experience of economic participation. Findings: The findings of this study suggest that most interviewed young people, who are NEET, lack advanced information literacy and digital skills to access information services. The results also indicate that access to information services that are primed for online information is a challenge for most of these NEET young people residing in underserviced communities. The high cost of an Internet connection means that the Internet is out of reach for most low-income households. In communities that are underserviced with no adequate information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, people residing in such areas are subjected to living in circumstances where there is poverty and thus a lack of access to online information. Research limitations/implications: This paper reports on data collected in 2018 using intense interviews, while acknowledging limitations in terms of the sample size. Hence, it is not fully representative of the whole population of young people, who are NEET, residing in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Practical implications: The findings illustrate the need for further collaboration among relevant stakeholders to strengthen existing programmes and for stronger partnerships. The arguments presented herein enhance knowledge and understanding concerning the digital literacy skills divide that exists among young people who are NEET. It includes a discussion to contribute to policy development. Originality/value: This study focuses on challenges young people who are NEET experience when looking for work and developmental opportunities. This qualitative study adopts Information Poverty Theory and uses prior studies to link the undertaken survey and research. It is expected that this study may serve as a pilot for future studies and may also contribute to the ongoing discussions around the use of ICTs on their use and access, especially the effect on young people when searching for information related to jobs and other developmental opportunities using online services.

Traditionally, the speech act of requesting has been regarded as a face-threatening act (Brown & Levinson, 1987) due to the impositive nature on the addressee's negative face. Yet, in specific service encounters, requests can no longer be seen as threatening (Antonopoulou, 2001). This is the case of tourist information offices, where mitigators may not be present due to the task-oriented nature of the exchange. This study aims to widen the scope of research on service encounters by examining 147 naturally occurring requests by native speakers of English in a tourist information office taking into account the variable of gender. Our findings suggest that females used more direct questions whereas men employed want statements to a much higher extent. These results have to be understood within the context of this specific service encounter, in which direct requests do not imply impoliteness or threats to the requestee's negative face.

Introduction: Applied epistemology allows information studies to benefit from developments in philosophy. In information studies, epistemic concepts are rarely considered in detail. This paper offers a review of several epistemic concepts, focusing on understanding, as a call for further work in applied epistemology in information studies. Method: A hermeneutic literature review was conducted on epistemic concepts in information studies and philosophy. Relevant research was retrieved and reviewed iteratively as the research area was refined. Analysis: A conceptual analysis was conducted to determine the nature and relationships of the concepts surveyed, with an eye toward synthesizing conceptualizations of understanding and opening future research directions. Results: The epistemic aim of understanding is emerging as a key research frontier for information studies. Two modes of understanding (hermeneutic and epistemological) were brought into a common framework. Conclusions: Research on the concept of understanding in information studies will further naturalistic information research and provide coherence to several strands of philosophic thought.

This paper describes the implementation of problem-based learning (PBL) principles in an undergraduate IT service management course, followed by the results about student satisfaction and work performance. The results indicate the students' general satisfaction with the course implementation, as well as some challenges regarding the self-assessment and peer assessment of their work. The findings also reveal the students' better work performance in project results than in traditional knowledge tests, which reinforces the indications about their positive attitudes towards the interactive PBL environment. The cluster analyses identified seven different patterns in student behaviour regarding course performance. Findings from this study could be used by both researchers and practitioners in their efforts to create or further research a stimulating, interactive learning environment based on PBL that improves the preparation of students for their future workplaces.

One of the impacts of information technology in guidance counseling is in the implementation of the support system. Entering the world of globalization and rapid technological breadth of information requires counseling to adjust to the environment in order to meet the needs of learners. Therefore, cyber-counseling is now developing. It is one of the utilizations of information technology in the world, especially the provision of counseling services of career information for the learners. The issue that needs to be answered in this research is "how is the model of ICT-based career information service that is interesting, acceptable, based on the accuracy, feasibility, and utility to improve career decision-making ability of the learners developed?" This research aims at finding out a model of ICT based-career information services that can be used to help learners in improving their career decision-making. The method used was the Research and Development (R & D) through several steps. Techniques and data collection instruments were questionnaires, observations, and tests. Data analysis technique used was qualitative and quantitative analysis. Based on the data analysis, it is found that t value is 40.79 with df = 149. The t table value is 1.645 with the significance level (P) = 0,000 < a = 0.05. Therefore, the hypothesis stating that "there is a significant effect on improving career decision-making of the learners after the implementation of the service model of ICT-based career information to the Senior High School students in Parepare" is accepted.

The relevance of research: The relevance of the problem studied is caused by the acceleration of transition of the Russian economy on an innovative way of development, which depends on the vector of innovative sphere of services and, to a large extent, information and communication services, as well as it is caused by the poor drafting of methodical approaches to the effectiveness's evaluation of the processes of information and communication services' commercialization. Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study is to develop a methodic to assess the relationship of basic indicators of projects of information and communication services' development. Methods of the study: The basic methods of research are methods of stochastic factor analysis, method of pair correlation, multiple correlation analysis, matrix models and mathematical modeling. Results of the study: Based on the analysis of traditional methodic for assessing of the cost-effectiveness of projects of information and communication systems' development the paper offers combined method to estimate the dependencies of financial indicators' basic parameters of projects on long-term development of mobile operators in providing of information and communication services. Practical significance: The paper is intended for researchers, teachers and undergraduates studying the problems to assess the effectiveness of the projects' commercialization in the service sector, particularly, in the development of information and communication services, as well as for specialists--mobile operators, engaged in the problems of development projects' investment and implementation.

Introduction: The popularity of social question and answer sites has made it an important and convenient source for obtaining knowledge. This study quantifies how three different system characteristics (interface design, interaction and answer quality) affect users' perceptions (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment), which in turn alter the perceived user experience. Method: Using an online survey, this study investigated the experience of using a leading Chinese site, Baidu Knows. The study received 218 validated responses which were used to test the research model. Analysis: Structural equation modelling technique was used to evaluate the hypothesised research framework. Results: The results show that the influences of the system characteristics (interface design, interaction and answer quality) on user experience are well mediated by user perceptions of usefulness, ease of use and enjoyment. Additionally, perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment have direct and significant influences on user experience. Against expectations, perceived ease of use is found to have no significant direct effect on user experience, but have an indirect effect mediated through perceived usefulness. Conclusion: Use experience is mainly determined by user perceptions about its usefulness, the ease of use and the enjoyment of using the social question and answer sites, which are derived from their evaluation in relation to specific service features. By identifying these service features and quantifying how they affect user experience, a number of practical suggestions for service design have been made to help social question and answer sites managers improve their customers' user experience, e.g. offering more attractive rewards and adding various entertainment activities to motivate users to actively participate in knowledge sharing and innovation.

Introduction: In recent years, the introduction of social question and answer services and other Internet tools have expanded the ways in which people have their questions answered. There has been speculation and debate over whether such services and other Internet tools are replacing library virtual reference services. Method: Most previous research on the comparison between social question and answer services and virtual reference has been conducted from the perspectives of libraries or library users, and research based on social question and answer services users' viewpoints has not yet been explored. This study surveyed Yahoo! Answers users on their awareness, use, and evaluation of the social question and answer services site and virtual reference. Analysis: The survey data from multiple-choice questions, fill-in, and open-ended questions were analysed using SPSS for a quantitative summary. Results: The findings of this study show that social question and answer services and virtual reference have their own strengths and weaknesses in serving various user needs and in meeting the expectations of an online or virtual service, based on important user-identified considerations. Conclusions: The notion that social question and answer services will take over virtual reference is not supported. As they stand, virtual reference and social question and answer services have great potential for collaboration in meeting user information needs. The practical implications of the findings to virtual reference are also discussed.

The South African Library for the Blind (SALB) contributes to the quality of life of print-impaired people encouraging independence through access to information, informed decision making, and taking pleasure in the enjoyment of recreational reading. In realizing the vision, SALB implemented two strategic models; agent mini-libraries and comprehensive mini-libraries. Management and administration of the services rendered is covered in detail. The project was pioneered in one of the provinces and has been rolled out to other provinces. The paper highlights how visually impaired people experience in a tangible manner, assistive technologies, training and interaction with community members and use libraries.

We conducted an online survey to examine religiosity, sexual health knowledge, and behavior and sexual health information sources among undergraduate students affiliated with student religious organizations (n = 45) and unaffiliated students (n = 82). Analyses included Fisher's exact tests, t-tests, and exact regression models. Students reporting religious affiliation considered religious sources to be believable (p = 0.004 for sexual health; p < 0.0001 for romantic relationships) and identified these sources as their primary information sources for romantic relationships (p = 0.0042). Although religiously affiliated students reported fewer sexual partners in the past year (p = 0.020), their reported condom use was not significantly different from that of unaffiliated students. Future research should explore the focus and content of romantic relationship information provided by student religious organizations. Health practitioners and educators should consider strategies for collaborating with religious organizations to meet the information needs of these students.

The questionnaires' origin (sources from which elements of the questionnaire are derived) and initial development (process of making a questionnaire from elements) should be assessed before their measurement properties. There is no Critical Appraisal Tool (CAT) that comprehensively assesses the origin and initial development of questionnaires therefore, our objective was to develop one. To develop the Questionnaire Origin and Development Appraisal (QODA) tool, we first developed QODA version-one from psychometric tool development guidelines, and pilot tested it, resulting in QODA version-two. Second, we performed a review that identified six CATs that evaluate origin and initial development. A pool of items was derived from these six CATs and QODA version-two. Using a nominal group method, this item pool was reduced and QODA version-three (20 items) was developed. The QODA may be useful to academic librarians who assist researchers and students from various disciplines. Information professionals including research trainees can learn how to use QODA and ensure sound questionnaire origin and initial development. This will improve the accuracy of data collected in research and professional practice (e.g., information service evaluation). Future research will study the QODA's measurement properties.

Literature on business information literacy primarily focuses on business students. This paper instead explores business information literacy for students in liberal arts colleges: aside from career preparation, are there reasons to teach them to grapple critically with business information? This paper brings together survey findings, concepts from critical information theory, and the "Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education" developed by the Association of Colleges and Research Libraries to bear on this question. It argues that business information is a powerful genre for teaching core concepts central to both information literacy and liberal arts: critical inquiry, authority, access, incentives, rhetorical practices, and more.

This study examines how academic librarians at the Complutense University (Spain) perceive project management techniques that are becoming increasingly popular in library and information centers due to the need to comply with their strategic planning and services. To reach this goal, a quantitative and qualitative methodology was applied and a survey, in the form of a questionnaire, was used as a data gathering tool. The response rate was 31.2%. The key findings are based on respondents' education regarding project management skills and their expertise managing projects, as well as the presence of project management courses in the Library and Information Science Spanish curriculum. This study revealed that over one third of the academic staff completed their project management training by self-directed learning. Additionally, over half of them stated that they had not participated in any library project in the last five years, and almost half of the library staff concluded that project management techniques are quite important as formal courses in the Library and Information Science university programs. The study is interesting and revealing for those library and information services professionals who are facing day-to-day to users' demands and Library and Information Science challenges.

Websites are a critical tool for sport participants to seek logistical information prior to arriving at a facility. Given the challenge in accommodating mobility disabilities, research exploring how outdoor sport facilities, such as golf courses, precommunicate accommodation information via hosted websites is warranted. This study assessed website accommodation communication by nonprivate golf courses. To create a context and comparison, the researchers also collected data for commercial sport facilities. Of 268 nonprivate Indiana golf courses hosting websites, only two (< 1%) included Web-based accessibility announcements. Of 10 Indiana commercial sport facilities hosting websites, six included Web-based accessibility announcements (60%). Perceptions of undue burden and targeting the active-aging community inform the discussion of research results.

In 1932, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis debuted a series of fifty educational lending cases. The cases, constructed by museum staff from duplicate or donated materials, covered a variety of topics in the areas of natural and social sciences. While never specifically referred to as intercultural programming or intercultural education, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, with the help of artists from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Museums Extension Project (MEP), developed a variety of special exhibits, programs, and lending materials focused on the peoples, craftwork, and customs of foreign nations. They distributed these country-lending cases to schools and civic organizations during the 1930s and early 1940s as part of their extension program. The content of the cases and director's reports provide insight into how one museum incorporated the basic ideals of intercultural education into its programming. This article introduces the cases and lending program, briefly outlines the educational goals of museums in the early twentieth century, identifies key components of the intercultural education movement, and concludes with a discussion of how the programming at the Indianapolis Children's Museum fits into the larger movements of the 1930s. Ultimately, the study of the intercultural programming created by the Children's Museum helps broaden understanding of the strengths and limits of the intercultural education movement as it occurred outside of the traditional classroom.

Modern academic libraries tend to provide services beyond traditional lending, reference, and enquiry services. Many are converged with other professional or student-focussed services such as IT, student services, academic support, or such learning resources as multimedia or print services -- often co-located in space and management structure. At its optimum, this convergence can foster cross-institution working and enable Library services visibility in institution strategy alongside other business continuity services (e.g., student records, Finance, HR). Conversely, the structure could bury Library services, relegating them to the 'always there, not a problem' box. The visibility of Library services within the converged structure, of course, is dependent on whether the Library leader has influence at the executive table. Through the prism of the McKinsey 7S framework, this article reflects on the convergence of Library, IT, Multimedia Services including classroom management, and Print Services at SOAS University of London and examines the process of bringing together staff with varying professional identities and grades to work as a cohesive team delivering front-line, customer-focussed services. The article also reflects on how taking a multidisciplinary approach to providing institution support enabled the Customer Services and Operations (CSOps) team to influence institution strategy on space development for learning, teaching, and research support.

A content analysis of "JLSC"'s publications in 2007-2016 was conducted to investigate its publication patterns and research topics. Elements such as article titles, keywords, authors' affiliations, titles, disciplines, author collaboration and grant-funded projects were coded and examined. Findings indicate that libraries, information services, cataloging and classification, knowledge management and information retrieval were the most frequently discussed topics. Over 50% of the authors were LIS faculty members with librarian practitioners and LIS graduate students each representing about one-quarter of the total authorship. The percentage of case studies was not significant. Over half of the articles resulted from grant-funded projects. Collaborative writing was active.

Objective: To examine cultural barriers and participant solutions regarding acceptance and uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine from the perspective of Black African, White-Caribbean, Arab, Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani young people. Methods: In total, 40 young people from minority ethnic communities in Scotland took part in a qualitative study, involving seven focus groups and four paired interviews, to explore their views and experiences of the HPV vaccine. Using critical discursive psychology, the analysis focused on young people's accounts of barriers and enablers to information, access and uptake of the HPV vaccination programme. Results: Participants suggested innovative strategies to tackle intergenerational concerns, information design and accessibility, and public health communications across diverse contexts. A cross-cultural community engagement model was developed, embracing diversity and contradiction across different ethnic groups. This included four inter-related strategies: providing targeted and flexible information for young people, vaccine provision across the life-course, intergenerational information and specific cross-cultural communications. Conclusion: This is the first HPV cross-cultural model inductively derived from accounts of young people from different ethnic communities. We recommend public health practitioners and policymakers consider using the processes and strategies within this model to increase dialogue around public engagement, awareness and receptivity towards HPV vaccination.

The value of evidence-based policy is well established, yet major hurdles remain in connecting policymakers with the wider research community. Here we assess whether a UK Evidence Information Service (EIS) could facilitate interaction between parliamentarians and research professionals. Fifty-six UK parliamentarians were interviewed to gauge the challenges of working with evidence and the potential utility of an EIS. Grounded theory analysis identified several barriers to evidence-based policymaking, however 85% of parliamentarians supported the EIS, preferring a rapid, impartial, concise, and optionally confidential service. We conclude that an EIS integrated with existing parliamentary systems could enhance dialogue between policymakers and researchers.

Library quality is no longer evaluated solely on the value of its collections, as user perceptions of service quality play an increasingly important role in defining overall library value. This paper presents a retooling of the LibQUAL+ survey instrument, blending the gap measurement model with perceptual congruence model studies from information systems management research. The new survey instrument redefines service desk assessment by taking into consideration the perspectives of both service users and of service providers, to help service providers gain a more robust sense of service quality.

While some Canadian universities have a long history in the provision of data services, that was not the norm in Canada, especially in small universities and colleges. To maximize the use of data by students and researchers in academia, it was evident that increased education, resources, and tools were required to support those delivering data services on their campuses. To this end, the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) Survival Guide was designed as a comprehensive reference tool, which complements an established regional training curriculum, whereby enabling librarians to effectively fulfill their role as a DLI Contact in their academic institutions. This case study will examine the history, current state, and recommended future direction of the Survival Guide. This article will also examine the challenges in understanding the drivers shaping academic service delivery and the ways in which the guide has evolved to remain current to the needs of the Canadian data community.

Brittany Brannon is an MLIS candidate in the School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University. In this essay, she makes an argument for incorporating a rhetorical approach when assisting students with their information seeking and use. A rhetorical approach focuses on how the student will use the information they seek, and thus emphasizes identifying the context, purpose, audience, situation, appeals, and genre required to complete the rhetorical act. Brannon argues that incorporating these ideas in reference and instruction service can help guide students as they seek, select, and evaluate information.

"portal: Libraries and the Academy" has as its mission to address library and information services in a campus-wide context, focusing on librarians' engagement with learning services, joint technology initiatives, cross-disciplinary and cross-functional research, faculty partnerships, and scholarly publishing and public policy, but encouraging research that results from innovative collaborations or that shows the integrative potential of libraries with other campus units has been challenging. Fostering writing that brings together authors from different disciplines or academic functions, however, derives directly from the shared thinking and leadership that goes into creating a campus project or organization. At every turn, we talk about needing such projects to reshape our universities to meet pedagogical demands and resource challenges, but it is still surprisingly difficult to bring such initiatives to fruition in an ongoing way. How can we incentivize sustainable innovation within our existing traditional academic environments? In 2016, three separate national, invitational gatherings highlighted and sought to expand campus and scholarly collaborations on new models of information services that can advance research and teaching in today's interdisciplinary and multi-institutional contexts. The three meetings discussed in this article include the following: (1) Academic Art Museum and Library Summit; (2) Publishers Reporting to Libraries (P2L) Summit; and (3) Open Scholarship Initiative. The meetings had distinctive emphases--museums, university presses, and scientific publishing--and libraries had a leading role in all three. The author was present at all three and offers summaries of the presentations and the issues addressed.

To better understand the value of current information services and to forecast the evolving information and data management needs of researchers, a study was conducted at two research-intensive universities. The methodology and planning framework applied by health science librarians at Emory University and The Ohio State University focused on identifying the need for new or retooled information services supporting health and biomedical researchers and their increasing use of digital resources. The lessons learned and outcomes described herein are informing the development and implementation of new information service models and can help forecast changing user needs across the broader library community.